Martin Compston details gruelling prep for Line of Duty’s new season

Martin Compston, known for his role in Line of Duty, has revealed his fitness routine as the show prepares to return. The BBC police drama was confirmed for a seventh season after its hugely popular finale in 2021.

Martin Compston will return as DI Steve Arnott, joined by Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, who play Kate Fleming and Ted Hastings respectively.

Filming is scheduled to start this spring, and the actor is already working hard on a strict diet to get back in shape for his famous waistcoat role.

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Martin Compston recently shared with The Times that he prepares for new roles by following the Whole30 diet – a strict, sugar-free plan organized by his wife, who he says is a much better cook than he is.

She cooked chicken wings, asparagus, cabbage, and a miso sauce for lunch yesterday – a healthy meal that helps me feel comfortable in my Steve Arnott waistcoat!

In a recent interview with Digital Spy, actor Martin Compston shared his enthusiasm about reprising his role as the detective and emphasized how important Steve Arnott’s recognizable clothing is to the character.

He admitted he loves wearing his waistcoat, and really enjoys being in Belfast. He described the city as a fantastic place to film, and said he’s become genuinely close friends with his co-stars, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar. He loves spending time with them, and putting on the waistcoat and doing the accent helps him get into character. He feels the character slowly taking over as he prepares for the role.

In season 7, the police anti-corruption unit AC-12 is shut down and replaced with a new department called the Inspectorate of Police Standards. The team then investigates a particularly challenging case involving accusations of serious wrongdoing against another police officer.

Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a popular and successful officer known for dismantling organized crime groups, is now facing accusations of using his authority to sexually exploit others, according to reports.

“But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?”

Filming for Line of Duty season 7 is scheduled to start in Belfast in spring 2026. There’s no confirmed release date yet. You can watch seasons 1 through 6 now on BBC iPlayer.

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2026-03-02 01:19